Skyshed Pod - any reports yet?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 22-11-2007, 12:55 AM

I remember about 6 months ago (maybe more) that about 9 people in here ordered a Skyshed 'Pod' Dome observatory.

Have any of you recieved your Pod yet and any reports on it?
I haven't seen any threads about them yet

It would be interesting to see what Aussies think of it in action

stlfiremedic35 · #2 22-11-2007, 05:48 PM

I dont have one but I think Im going to. Zoning says cant build an observatory in the only place on my property. that would work, but I can park a car, truck, and bingo! a trailer. They put the pod on a flat bed truck to wind test, so I get it put it on a trailer and park it over my pier with a hole cut in the trailer floor. Think it will work? Ken

Kal (Andrew) · #3 22-11-2007, 05:51 PM

I intend on buying one. Last communication I received they didn't have a firm price yet and were still working out the cost of getting them here.

bojan · #4 23-11-2007, 07:59 AM

Also, they are still in a process of collecting enough expression of interest/orders so that they can have one container full of them...

nightsky · #5 23-11-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlfiremedic35

bingo! a trailer. They put the pod on a flat bed truck to wind test, so I get it put it on a trailer and park it over my pier with a hole cut in the trailer floor. Think it will work? Ken

G'Day
Good idea it should work

unless they have a go at you putting in the pier

Cheers
Arthur

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 23-11-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlfiremedic35

I dont have one but I think Im going to. Zoning says cant build an observatory in the only place on my property. that would work, but I can park a car, truck, and bingo! a trailer. They put the pod on a flat bed truck to wind test, so I get it put it on a trailer and park it over my pier with a hole cut in the trailer floor. Think it will work? Ken

Worth a try!

I have heard of wierder things done.

Back when I was in another Astro Club, a fellow member, and old gentleman, wanted to build an obs in his back yard but his council was really strict about new out-buildings. He came up with an idea and it worked!

He had an old run-down shed/barn in the back yard. He cleaned it out, built the observatory INSIDE the shed (he built it out of brick, with a steel dome!!), left it for a year to get all infested with cobwebs and dust, then applied to the council to tear down the old shed in his yard so he could use the old observatory inside!!!!!

They said he could

and no permit was required.

allan gould · #7 23-11-2007, 10:33 PM

I was thinking of purchasing one but I'm still waiting for Andrew to contact me with a FIRM price including delivery. Its taking a while but I would have purchased one some time back but couldn't get a firm pricing.

avandonk · #8 27-11-2007, 09:23 PM

Getting a container load is the only realistic way to get one of these great little obs. I have ordered one and am willing to wait until this happens. I may even order two just to fill the container!
Meanwhile I still have the agility and strength to carry stuff in and out.

As for firm price there are too many variables.

Bert

koputai (Jason) · #9 28-11-2007, 09:29 AM

If you have trouble getting council approval for a proper observatory, what about this:
Buy a 5000 litre poly water tank ($1300 retail)
Put it on a cement slab ($200)
Cut a door in it ($100 for bits)
Slice around it, 3ft down from the top so it can rotate ($200 for bits)
Cut a window in said top ($100 for bits)

One basic observatory for under $2k.

In this day and age, I don't think any council is going to say no to a water tank.

Cheers,
Jason.

Kal (Andrew) · #10 28-11-2007, 02:04 PM

My local council is actually quite decent. I emailed them asking and they said I don't need a building permit as long as the building is under 10M^2 and as long as I follow a couple of basic rules (like at least half a meter away from fenceline etc)

sheeny (Al) · #11 28-11-2007, 03:05 PM

I'm not in a position to buy one yet, but I too would be interested in comments/reviews for when I get the opportunity to set one up.

It all looks good to me. The only concern I have is the opening is 200mm short of zenith. I'm just not sure if this means the scope/pier should be offset, or if the offset of an EQ mount pointing at zenith is enough to clear it

. I suspect not quite...

I'm interested to see what others think when they start using them.

Al.

lesbehrens (Les) · #12 24-10-2010, 09:57 AM

hi guys. i am interested in buying one of these, what are your opinions? how much did it cost, construction etc.
where did u order from? did u buy form telescopes and astronomy?
thanks
les

strongmanmike (Michael) · #13 24-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Worth a try!

I have heard of wierder things done.

Back when I was in another Astro Club, a fellow member, and old gentleman, wanted to build an obs in his back yard but his council was really strict about new out-buildings. He came up with an idea and it worked!

He had an old run-down shed/barn in the back yard. He cleaned it out, built the observatory INSIDE the shed (he built it out of brick, with a steel dome!!), left it for a year to get all infested with cobwebs and dust, then applied to the council to tear down the old shed in his yard so he could use the old observatory inside!!!!!

They said he could

and no permit was required.

Gold

mozzie (Peter) · #14 24-10-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesbehrens

hi guys. i am interested in buying one of these, what are your opinions? how much did it cost, construction etc.
where did u order from? did u buy form telescopes and astronomy?
thanks
les

hi les
i bought my pod in the first shipment 2 years ago its a xl3 which means it has 3 bays,cant remember the price around $4000 delivered.matthew at telescope and astronomy is the dealer in aus hes looking for sales for his 3rd shipment at the moment so now is a good time to order.
they are easy to set up mines on a concrete slab (underground) water tank levelled with a timber deck a concrete pier for scope,its the best accessory ive bought for astronomy no setting up.
in my opinion they are fantastic,rather cheap and easy to set up.

lesbehrens (Les) · #15 24-10-2010, 01:13 PM

how do they cope with the australian weather?
les

OICURMT · #16 24-10-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

He had an old run-down shed/barn in the back yard. He cleaned it out, built the observatory INSIDE the shed (he built it out of brick, with a steel dome!!), left it for a year to get all infested with cobwebs and dust, then applied to the council to tear down the old shed in his yard so he could use the old observatory inside!!!!!

They said he could

and no permit was required.

What a great story....

mozzie (Peter) · #17 24-10-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesbehrens

how do they cope with the australian weather?
les

no water problems at all!!! but i did buy a pod cover in he last shipment it keeps the heat down money well spent

sheeny (Al) · #18 24-10-2010, 03:30 PM

I love my POD

.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=35747

No problems with water or snow getting inside. We had real blizzard conditions here the other day and I was interested to see if any snow got in... none!

So if get snow in yours at Kilcoy, you've got problems!

We don't get as hot here as Mozzie does so I haven't resorted to the Dome Cover yet. I am using a solar ventilation fan though which helps keep the temp down a bit. I'd suggest for you the dome cover is the way to go.

Matthew at Telescopes Astronomy is the agent.

Al.

Strawb (Dave) · #19 13-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Guys,

Considering one of these myself but up here in cyclone country I'm not sure how the council is going to go with it. I've had a good look around the website but cant see any engineering specs that I could impress my local inspector with - did any of you guys have issues??

Cheers

Dave

sheeny (Al) · #20 13-11-2010, 06:05 PM

No, no issues at all, but we aren't in cyclone territory.

There is no official wind test data on the POD. Skyshed considered doing it but the cost of the testing would've pushed up the price of the POD significantly enough they thought it might not succeed, so rather than do expensive official testing they did a "red-neck" wind test.

They built a POD on a flat bed trailer and towed it behind an F350 or similar truck at speeds up to 90mph I think, into the wind, dome open, dome closed etc and videoed it.

You ight be able to find a copy of the video on their site. It comes on the assembly instruction DVD and is good for a giggle

.

Al.